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Mauer closing in on sixth All-Star appearance

Mauer closing in on sixth All-Star appearance

6/22/13: Joe Mauer launches a two-run homer to right-center field off Corey Kluber, putting the Twins on the board in the top of the first

By Rhett Bollinger
/
MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins catcher Joe Mauer is inching closer to another All-Star Game appearance, as he remains the top vote-getter among American League catchers in the final All-Star Game ballot update released Monday.

Mauer, aiming for a sixth career All-Star appearance, leads Orioles backstop Matt Wieters by more than 1 million votes, as Mauer has tallied 3,869,330 votes to Wieters' 2,677,959.

Mauer, 30, is hitting .320 with eight homers, 24 doubles and 26 RBIs in 74 games. He also leads Major League catchers with a .404 on-base percentage and 49 runs scored.

Mauer was an All-Star last year for the fifth time in his career and was the Twins' lone representative in the Midsummer Classic. He was voted in as a starter from 2008-10 and was the leading vote-getter in the Majors in '10.

"It's a tremendous honor," Mauer said. "As long as they keep having me, I'd love to come back. It's a great event and hopefully I'll be able to do it again."

If elected, the 2009 American League MVP would join Ivan Rodriguez (12 times) and Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk (seven) as the only AL catchers to earn four fan-elected starts. In addition, he would become one of three players in Twins history to accomplish the feat, joining Hall of Famers Rod Carew (nine times) and Kirby Puckett (six).

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.

Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. CT on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.

From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Other Twins on the ballot are first baseman Justin Morneau, designated hitter Ryan Doumit, second baseman Jamey Carroll, shortstop Pedro Florimon, third baseman Trevor Plouffe and outfielders Josh Willingham, Aaron Hicks and Chris Parmelee. Second baseman Brian Dozier is not on the ballot, but he can be voted in as a write-in candidate.